Chapter Fourteen (Start Again)

"And I remember everything, everything I loved. I gave it away like it wasn't enough. All the words I said and all you forgive. How could I hurt you again?"

Coulson walked into the lab once more, ready to ask the team about his plan. To see if they would be on board with it.

"So where's Ward?" Skye asked.

"He's back in his cell, for now." Coulson replied.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, "For now? What does that mean?" he asked.

"Yeah, what does that mean?" Simmons added. "You're not making sense."

"I was thinking," Coulson began. "After taking everything that has happened today into consideration, and talking to him, I was thinking that I could give him another chance."

Fitz furrowed his eyebrows, "A chance?" he asked.

"Meaning he's out of Vault D, working strictly under my orders, and under close watch." Coulson explained. "Seeing that he really wants to help more than just giving us information every now and then. Well, he'll still do that. But he'll be doing missions. Nothing big, and nothing alone. He'll be with at least two others at all times on the missions I send him on."

"And is May ok with this?" Hunter asked.

"She really didn't say much, other than for me to see if you guys were fine with it." Coulson replied.

"I don't see any problem with it." Fitz said quietly.

"As long as he's watched." Mack added.

Simmons looked towards Fitz and then back to Coulson, but she only nodded.

"He better not shoot me again." Hunter mumbled.

Skye took a breath, "I'm not quite sure if he's to be trusted like this so soon." she said. "I know that he's changed, but we can't be quite sure yet. But if he's going to be watched carefully, this could be fine. I know he saved my life most likely, but I still don't know what to think yet. So, I don't know."

Coulson sighed and nodded, "Don't worry, he will be watched carefully. He'll even have his own tracking bracelet. No weapons other than ICER for a long time. I know you guys can't believe that I'm doing this. Me neither. But after today, I think he can do more than sit in a cell all day.

But as of today, after hearing what you have said about it, I'm going ahead with my plan. I'll take him out of Vault D and to his own personal, private quarters." Coulson continued. "But he only gets one chance. If he throws that chance away, if he fails, he'll go straight back to the Vault."

"What if I let you in? What if I make it right again?What if I give it up? What if I want to try? What if you take a chance? What if I learn to love? What if, what if we start again?"

Ward looked up as he heard the Vault door opened and footsteps echoed down the stairway. Coulson came up to the barrier, tablet in hand.

The older man smiled slightly, "Good news, Ward, mostly everyone is on board with my plan."

"Mostly everyone?" Ward asked.

"Skye is a little hesitant, she isn't quite sure yet how to feel yet about you again." Coulson replied. "But yet again, everyone was a little hesitant."

"Of course they are." Ward said under his breath.

"But good new overall, you're out of here."

"Really?"

"Believe it or not, yes." Coulson said, deactivating the barrier.

Ward stood to his feet and walked to Coulson's side.

"You know, you better not blow this." Coulson said. "I'm giving you one chance, if you blow it, you're done. Back to the Vault. You understand?" he asked.

Ward nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Good, give me your arm." Coulson said.

Ward frowned, "Okay?" He gave Coulson his right arm. He heard a click and looked at his wrist. A small, silver bracelet now dangled from his wrist. "A tracking device, sir?" he asked.

"Did you really think that I was going to let you go undetectable?" Coulson asked with a slight smile. "That will allow me to know where you are 24/7. Coulson motioned to the stairs, "I'll show you where you are to be staying, a small, private room. Don't worry, there's a bathroom, good bed, and clothes. Much better than this place."

Ward swallowed, "I hope it is." he muttered as the two went up the stairs.

Coulson led Ward to his quarters, "Now it should have everything you need, clean up and put clothes on. After that, you are to report straight to my office immediately. And I'll know if you don't." he stated. "Do you understand? If this isn't something you can follow, you can go straight back to the Vault right now. Understand?"

Ward nodded, "Yes, sir. I'll be there."

Coulson smiled, "Good. Don't mess up on this. If you do, will be really disappointed."

Ward went inside and closed the door. He looked around. Coulson around, it was better than the Vault. There was a nice bed, a small TV, and a dresser. A door on the other side of the room led to a small bathroom.

He went into the bathroom and slipped off his prison garb, turning on the shower. He stepped into the hot stream, sighing as the hot water washed over him. For the past few months he had barely had anything less than a cold shower. Nothing more. This was heaven to him.

After a while, he got out and dried off. He went into the room and got clothes from the dresser. They were actually his old clothes, why they were there he didn't know. Coulson had just made the decision to release him today, when did he get his clothes? Ward shook his head and slipped his clothes on.

His clothes for the day consisted of black pants, a black shirt, and a black jacket. And don't forget black boots. His signature outfit. The boots felt weird on his feet since he hadn't worn shoes for the past few months. But it felt nice to be wearing actual clothes again.

He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, ready to go to Coulson's office for whatever he wanted him for. Hopefully today was the day he could truly start again. And hopefully he wouldn't mess up.

"All this time, I can make it right with one more try. Can we start again? In my eyes, you can see it now. Can we start again, can we start again?

Author's Note: I don't own AoS, Marvel does. Song is 'Start Again' by Red. This time: Ward gets his chance at redemption. But will he be able to keep his promise? Next time: Fitz finally confronts the team about their treatment towards him and Ward over the pass few months. Good, right? Probably not. Keep reading and please favorite, follow, and/or review! ~AwakeAndAliveSpartan.